Communities put holiday spirit on parade

Gather the family to watch decorated floats spread cheer along the Emerald Coast.

Get ready to see Santa Claus greeting the crowd, community members waving and children smiling.

Get ready to embark on an age-old tradition.

We compiled a list of holiday parades in Northwest Florida. They are arranged in order of occurrence, just in case you want to attend them all.

Elf Parade

When: 4:45 p.m. Nov. 24

Where: Parade route goes from old Escambia County Courthouse to Plaza Wonderland at Palafox and Government Streets in Pensacola.

More information: pensacolawinterfest.org

The Elf Parade will kick off the holiday season in downtown Pensacola. The parade’s Grand Marshall will lead the children, parents, toys and characters through the six-block route for 20 minutes. After, people can enjoy Pensacola’s Winterfest, a holiday festival full of attractions.

South Walton Holiday Parade

When: 4 p.m. Nov. 25

Where: The parade route is along Scenic Highway 30A from Seagrove Beach to Seaside.

More information: seasidefl.com

Find a spot along Scenic Highway 30A for the annual South Walton Holiday Parade. The parade will end in Seaside, as visitors may welcome Santa and Mrs.Claus to town. Santa, the master of ceremonies, will take the stage in the Seaside Amphitheater and invite the children into a sing-a-long, followed with a countdown to Seaside’s illumination with lights.

Niceville/Valparaiso Christmas Parade

When: 10 a.m. Dec. 2

Where: The parade begins on John Sims Parkways at the intersection of Palm Boulevard and Partin Drive, where it will turn and travel up Partin Drive to the children’s park and Ruckel Middle School.

More information: nicevillechamber.com

The Niceville-Valparaiso Rotary Club will present the annual Christmas parade titled “Christmas Making a Difference.” It will feature Santa, floats from community clubs and organizations, performing groups, candy and more.

City of Gulf Breeze Holiday Parade

When: 10 a.m. Dec. 2

Where: The parade route runs along Shoreline Drive in Gulf Breeze.

More information: http://cityofgulfbreeze.us/2017-gulf-breeze-holiday-parade/

Gulf Breeze Middle School students who attend the City of Gulf Breeze After School Program selected this year’s parade theme, “Sailing into the Season.”

Navarre Community Christmas Parade

When: 1 p.m. Dec. 2

Where: The parade will start at the Navarre Library, 8484 James Harvell Road, and continue south along Presidio, making a left at Esplanade Street and ending at the back parking lot of Centennial Bank, 8524 Navarre Parkway.

Visit navarrechamber.com.

This year’s theme is “12 Days of Christmas.”

The parade is part of Navarre’s Christmas in the Park. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire truck in the parade and will be available for photos with children when the parade ends. Visits are free, and parents are invited to bring their cameras for photos. The Grinch will also be in the park to take photos with children. After the parade, free baked goods and hot beverages will be available at Mrs. Claus’ Bakery. There will also be ticketed games for children to play for prizes, as well as face painting, a cake walk, and “Fair Hair.”

Pensacola Beach's lighted boat parade includes pre-parade festivities at Shaggy's waterfront restaurant and visits with Santa afterward at Quietwater Shell. A fireworks display is planned for 8 p.m. from the boardwalk.

Christmas on the River Lighted Boat Parade

When: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 2

Where: Blackwater River, Milton

More information: srcchamber.com

Milton’s lighted boat parade is set against the city’s waterfront Festival of Lights. The parade runs between bridges, beginning at Russell Harbor Park next to the U.S. Highway 90 bridge and continuing to the Riverwalk, where it makes several circles for viewers.

Surfing Santa Beach Parade

When: 2 p.m. Dec. 3

Where: From Avenida 10 in Pensacola Beach, the parade will go down Via De Luna Drive toward Casino Beach and end at the Gulfside Pavilion.

More information: pensacolabeachchamber.com

Many will gather to see Santa Claus travel down Via De Luna Drive atop a Pensacola Beach fire truck at the annual Surfing Santa Parade. After the parade, children can meet Santa at the Gulfside Pavilion.

The Fort Walton Beach Twelve Days of Christmas Parade

When: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4

Where: The parade runs down Eglin Parkway from First Street to the Kmart parking lot, 200 Irwin Ave. N.E.

Where: The parade route will begin in the Downtown Destin Shopping Center (featuring Old Time Pottery) and travel west down Harbor Boulevard (U.S. Highway 98) to Stahlman Ave. Viewers should stand on the North side of Harbor Boulevard to watch the floats.

More information: cityofdestin.com

The City of Destin’s 33rd annual Christmas Parade theme is “All I want for Christmas.”

Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade

When: 5:15 p.m. Dec. 9

Where: downtown Pensacola, begins at Spring and Garden Streets

More information: visitpensacola.com

This parade draws more than 50,000 people annually. The parade features bands, the Blue Angels flight team and many organizations. The Pensacola Runners Association’s 1.2-mile Christmas Parade Dash will precede the parade.

Holiday on the Harbor Destin Lighted Boat Parade

When: 6 p.m. Dec. 10

Where: The parade can be viewed from docks, businesses and restaurants west of Grand Harbor Condominiums to HarborWalk Village, 10 Harbor Boulevard.

More information: Contact the Destin History & Fishing Museum at 850-837-6611.

Festivities will be held that afternoon along the harbor. Judging will take place at Margaritaville with award presentations at Margaritaville after the fireworks show.